New Delhi: The temporary restrictions placed on all routes in the Indian airspace on February 27, after the Balakot airstrike, were lifted by the Indian Air Force (IAF) on Friday, May 31. An announcement in this regard was made by the IAF on Twitter on Friday.

In its tweet, the IAF informed, “Temporary restrictions on all air routes in the Indian airspace, imposed by the Indian Air Force on 27 Feb 19, have been removed.”

It can be recalled that on February 26, India had carried out airstrikes on the Jaish-e-Mohammad’s (JeM) largest training camp in Pakistan’s Balakot. This was done in response to the suicide attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pulwama on February 14, where 40 CRPF personnel lost their lives.

Soon after the Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan tried to retaliate by targetting various military installations in Jammu and Kashmir, however, their attempts were foiled by the IAF when Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman downed a Pakistan Air Force F-16 fighter jet. He was unfortunately captured by the Pakistani Army soon after he downed the aircraft, as his MiG-21 Bison jet was hit. He was released on March 1.

It can be noted that Pakistan’s airspace along the eastern border with India will remain closed until 5 AM (local time) on June 15.